Today In History

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963 was one of the largest political rallies for human rights in United States history. It took place in Washington DC and is where Martin Luther King Jr. standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial delivered his historic “I Have a Dream” speech, on the 28th day of August 1963. An estimated 200,000 to 300,000 people were in attendance that day.

Still recovering from one of the worst riots in American history just one year earlier, citizens of Detroit were able to unite in the common passion of their beloved Tigers. The 1968 Tigers won 103 games and won the American League by 12 games over the Baltimore Orioles. In the “Year of the Pitcher” the Tigers were led by their ace, Denny McLain, who won 31 games on his way to winning both the American League Cy Young and MVP awards. The Tigers had no everyday players who batted .300 and had only one (Willie Horton) with more than 25 home runs. But with the pitching of McLain, and Mickey Lolich (17-9), Mayo Smith’s Tigers ran away with the pennant. The magical season carried into the World Series, as the Tigers rallied from a 3 games to 1 deficit to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in 7 games. Mickey Lolich was the Series MVP as he was 3-0 with 3 complete games, and out-dueled Bob Gibson in the deciding game. Most importantly, a city divided by civil unrest was brought together by their wonderful baseball team throughout an unforgettable season. Denny McLain won 31 games during the regular season.

YANKEE STADIUM OPENS TO LARGEST CROWD EVER The Babe Highlights Game with Mighty Blast April 18, 1923 The Bronx in New York An announced crowd of 74,217 including commissioner Kennesaw Landis, NY Governor Al Smith, and Colonel Jacob Ruppert, and the dominant sounds of the music played by the Seventh Regiment band directed by John Philip Sousa highlighted the opening of the first ever “Baseball Stadium”. Babe Ruth’s wish that he would trade in a year of his life if he could hit a home run in his first game here, came true. In the third inning his three run blast soared in to the right field bleachers. Ruth, not fooled by Howard Ehmke’s slow pitch, rounded the bases, removed his cap as he crossed home plate, and waved to the ecstatic assemblage. The Yankees prevailed with strong pitching from “Sailor Bob” Shawkey in their 4 – 1 win over archrival the Boston Red Sox. Originally named, The Yankee Stadium, it was built in nine months at a cost of $ 2.5 million dollars, the massive ballpark stretched from 157th to 161st and from River St. to Doughty Ave in the Bronx. A copper frieze façade was designed to give it a regal look.